A brush fire that closed a New Port Richey school and shut down roads Tuesday is almost completely contained.
- Brush fire at State Road 54 and Old Country Road 54
- Pasco County Fire Rescue calling fire suspicious
- Florida Forest Service assisting in firefighting operation
- MORE: Recent brush fire coverage by Bay News 9
Pasco County officials, meanwhile, are calling that fire suspicious and are investigating it as arson.
The fires started Tuesday afternoon in the area of State Road 54 and Old Country Road 54. Pasco Fire Rescue said several fires were set in the Seven Springs area, covering about 30 acres. Windy condition spread smoke across the area.
The fire is 80 percent contained.
- Bay News 9's fire coverage | Burn Bans | Smoke & Air Quality | MAP: Fires in FL | Wildfire Prevention
Seven Springs Elementary let students out early Tuesday. The school will be open for regular hours today. Shut down in both directions yesterday, State Road 54 has been reopened.
Pasco County Fire Rescue officials said multiple fires were set at the same time, adding that there is no natural reason why a fire would start that way.
The fires were caught early and crews were able to quickly contain them. Firefighters are still monitoring the area to make sure the flames don't flare up.
Arson investigators have interviewed multiple people but no charges have been filed.
There are currently more than two dozen Florida counties under burn bans right now, including Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, Polk and Manatee counties in the Bay area.